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The Intouchables

(2011)

Sometimes you have to reach into someone else's world to find out what's missing in your own.

Award-winning, feel-good French drama about the friendship that develops between an aristocrat (François Cluzet, Tell No One) - a quadriplegic after a recent paragliding accident - and a man from the projects (Omar Sy, Micmacs), hired to be his caretaker. Based on a true story.

Flicks Review

Based on a true story, but sticking close to the Hollywood archetype, this award-winning French comedy-drama was nominated for a ton of Cesar awards (the French Oscars) and it's not hard to see why. When paraplegic toff Philipe (Francois Cluzet from Tell No One) takes on Senegalese chancer Driss (Omar Sy, who won Best Actor) as his nurse - over many better-qualified candidates -cultures clash, lessons are learned and unlikely friendships are forged.... More

Driss is irresponsible but free; Philipe is refined but confined to his wheelchair. The former likes Earth, Wind and Fire; the latter prefers Berlioz. One tries to hump everything that moves; the other writes letters of romantic longing to women he will never meet. These differences are mostly played out in amiable montages – there's even a dance-off, of sorts – but just because you can see where the film's heading, doesn't mean you won't enjoy the journey.

The interplay between the two leads is, at first, convincingly barbed – “Have you ever considered a job as a beautician,” Philipe teases his alpha-male assistant, as Driss begrudgingly dresses him – and there are lots of funny lines (“Take a hike, Justin Bieber!” Driss tells a spotty teen). Soon they're best buddies, of course, but both actors give such appealing performances the spark of affection growing between them seems genuine. Though it amounts to little more than The Fresh Prince Of Belle France, the cliches are so skillfully navigated only the heartless will fail to be charmed.Hide

The Intouchables
First time I've paid for a film in ages, and couldn't of picked a better movie! Fantastic film, acting, scenes, comedic relief, everything worked reall well together. It is a film-festival sorta feature, like 'Notebook' with a hint of 'Truman show' mixed with realism of 'Ruby Sparks' and pretty much anything Woody Allen (but better). Has some great moments of sorrow and laughter, based on true story, Im in a wheelchair so bit bias I guess :-)
4/5 : well presented and a easy... More watchable film, not just a chick-flick.
Genre : comedy, disabled, drama, real lifeHide

"The Intouchables". 6 of us have now seen this movie, though there were only 4 of us present yesterday. It is a genuinely heart-warming comedy based on the true story of a quadriplegic millionaire and the street-smart ex-con who ends up as his carer. Some of their interactions are priceless. Turns out that this is the second-biggest box-office success in French cinema history -- no surprise there! Superb acting by the 2 key players. 4.5 stars.

MariaThe Intouchables was awesome. I have not been so much into a movie for a long time.

The Press Reviews

Sy and Cluzet give their parts more conviction than they deserve, even when the former is forced to re-enact the falsetto-singing-in-the-bubblebath bit from 'Pretty Woman.' But even their energy can't revive a corpse this dead.Full Review

The power dynamic may charm the French, but it's likely to push the cringe buttons of local moviegoers in Obama's post-'The Green Mile America.' Apart from the wince-inducing moments, 'The Intouchables' is often a pleasant buddy picture.Full Review

Not a great film but a warm one that pushes the viewer's emotional buttons so deftly it feels like a massage. My guess is that you will laugh and cry at all appropriate moments. Resistance is futile.Full Review

It's easy to see why this had been a colossal hit in France and caught the eye of Harvey Weinstein along the way: it's undemanding, heart-warming fodder with mass appeal. Sadly, it's also predictable and its big emotional beats are often harder to stomach than an overripe brie.Full Review